Iran’s lakes offer cool refuge, rich birdlife and region-specific plants and animals. From the vast Caspian and the striking salt flats to high mountain mirrors and pink saline pools, here are 12 of the country’s most beautiful and unique lakes — an essential guide for nature lovers planning their next trip.
Lakes in Iran give travelers the chance to enjoy cool weather amid nature and to observe birds and plant and animal species unique to each region. Iran has more than 20 lakes that are key parts of the country’s ecosystems. Today we’ll introduce you to the largest, most beautiful and most remarkable lakes of Iran.
The Caspian Sea is considered the world’s largest lake. It is bordered by Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.
The best caviar in the world comes from sturgeon that live in the Caspian. Many Iranians visit the Caspian shores in northern Iran during holidays.
Travelers usually head to the Mazandaran and Gilan provinces to enjoy the beautiful Caspian beaches. While certain cities and beaches on the Caspian get very crowded during holidays, there are still unknown wonders on the world’s largest lake.
Many visitors from around the world come to Lake Urmia in northwestern Iran. The lake lies between West and East Azerbaijan provinces.
The sad reality: Lake Urmia was once the largest lake in the Middle East. It contains 102 islands, but recently parts of it have dried due to neglect, causing major environmental problems for local people—yet it still retains much of its beauty and wonder.
An interesting fact: sometimes the lake turns red. Its natural color is salt-blue, but due to algal and bacterial growth and higher salinity when water levels fall (especially in warm seasons), it can change to red.
Where water level is low you’ll see salt crystals, creating an amazing lakescape. Lake Urmia receives water from rivers that originate on Sahand and Sabalan (like Zarrineh Rud, Talkheh Rud, Simineh Rud, etc.). Its beautiful sunsets, therapeutic muds, and wildlife attract thousands of visitors and tourists.
Another Iranian natural wonder is Lake Gahar, which literally means water collected in a hollow. Interestingly, not every Iranian knows or visits it. Unlike some busy spots on the Caspian, Gahar is a peaceful destination for lovers of pristine nature.
Gahar is located 35 km from Dorud in Lorestan, inside the Oshtorankuh protected area, and requires a roughly 40-minute walk to reach. The lake actually divides into Upper and Lower Gahar, only 100 meters apart. Known as the “jewel of the Zagros,” its clear water lets you see the lakebed and passing fish in some spots.
The large Gahar shoreline is sandy in parts on the west and east sides and rocky elsewhere. Around the lake there are forests and vegetation — oak, willow, almond, wild pistachio and beautiful poppies and tulips. If you travel to western Iran, don’t miss it.
The salt lake (Howz-e Sultan) is about 62 km east of Qom. Many professional photographers go there day and night to capture unique images. The lake’s surface area is roughly 1,800 km², but only about 1 km² is actually covered by water, so you may walk on thick layers of salt to reach water — a unique experience. At night the starry sky is spectacular.
Although no life is found in the lake, it is unique: rich in minerals and a significant source of lithium.
Overall the lake’s area fluctuates with rainfall and snowmelt. When precipitation and mountain runoff increase, the lake expands; in warm seasons it shrinks. Besides surface inflows, the lake is fed by two rivers — the Shur River and Qara Chay.
Another natural attraction of northern Iran is the Anzali Lagoon in Gilan Province. Anzali is the largest freshwater lake in Iran, located southwest of Bandar Anzali and about 40 km from the provincial capital.
It’s one of the most romantic and attractive places to visit in Iran — filled with Caspian water lilies and many bird species.
About 78 different bird species live in the Anzali Lagoon, drawing many tourists who enjoy birdwatching while boating.
The lagoon’s area reaches about 120 km² in the wetter winter and spring; in summer and autumn it shrinks to around 80 km².
This wetland was listed in the Ramsar Convention in 1975 (1354). It includes 11 main rivers and 30 tributaries, about 100 bird species, 50 fish species, hundreds of plant species and a unique ecosystem.
Zarivar Lake is a charming lake in western Iran. The name is Kurdish; it lies about 3 km from the city of Mariwan. Notably, no river feeds the lake — its water comes solely from snowmelt and natural springs within the lakebed. Locals believe the springs bubble up naturally and the lake carries many legends.
Around the lake grow many trees such as oak, pear and almond. Small islands used by local fishermen are another attraction.
In winter the lake surface can freeze entirely; in warmer seasons aquatic and semi-aquatic plants appear. Thanks to tourist interest, facilities such as hotels, parking, boating stations and restaurants are available.
You may know Shiraz’s Pink Mosque, but besides that city the region also hosts a pink lake.
Locals call it Maharloo — a saline lake about 27 km from Shiraz. What makes Maharloo distinct is its color: like Lake Urmia, it turns pink because of particular algae and high potassium and salinity.
If you fly to Shiraz you might see a pink patch of land from above — that’s Maharloo. There are also pink flamingos there. The lake shows its pink hue typically in mid-summer; in spring, autumn and winter it reverts to a more natural color.
Another lesser-known natural beauty is Ovan Lake.
This pretty lake sits on the Qazvin–Alamut road near the village of Zarabad. Because it lies on the slopes of Mount Khershchal, you can enjoy pleasant weather, pristine nature and beautiful views.
The lake is at about 1,815 meters above sea level, so it has cold autumns and winters; the surface may freeze. Best times to visit are summer and spring.
On the drive toward Ovan (along the Alamut road) in spring you can enjoy cherry blossoms lining the road; upon arrival the green vegetation and plant diversity will surprise you.
One advantage: recreational facilities exist for families and tourists, so besides scenery you can enjoy boating, hiking and even swimming.
Another beautiful lake lies 10 km from the village of Chourt and 71 km from Sari; its original name is Miyansheh but it became known as Chourt Lake after the nearby village.
An earthquake in 1939 (1318 Persian calendar) blocked spring channels here and created this lovely lake. In spring and summer when water levels drop you can see trees that once grew on the site poking above the water — a surreal landscape.
There are camping opportunities around the lake and in cold seasons nearby villages offer lodging. Fishing is a common pastime, but swimming is not allowed.
Another tourist attraction in Mazandaran is Elandan Lake. Rain and snowfall are the only water sources; no rivers flow into it. The surrounding soil is such that even small rainfalls funnel water toward the basin, and because the soil is mostly impermeable, water retention in the lake is high.
Around the lake grow special plants and greens like violets, Alzi, cornel bushes, velik and telka.
Elandan is near the village of Azni, 65 km from Sari. Not only the lake but the route to it and surrounding nature are beautiful, drawing many visitors every year.
Shurmast Lake is another tourist spot, about 200 km from Tehran, near Pol Sefid.
Given local weather conditions, fog and mist often form, making a mist-surrounded lake ringed by tall green trees a delightful experience for visitors.
The lake depth ranges from 5 to 15 meters; fishing yield is low so it isn’t a major fishing destination. But cycling and horseback riding around the lake are possible, and some paddle boats are available for guests.
Staying in the local cabins or villas near the lake gives travelers a unique experience. As the name implies, Shurmast evokes a sense of intoxication, cheer and joy — worth visiting at least once.
The second-largest lake and fourth largest wetland in Iran is Bakhtegan Lake, located in Fars Province near the picturesque old village of Tashk.
Bakhtegan and Tashk formed from intermontane subsidence; Tashk lies northwest of Bakhtegan and the two connect via the Rud-kar delta. White evaporite deposits appear on their shores. Although Bakhtegan receives water from the Rud-kar and Sivand rivers, its water is very salty — favoring salt-tolerant plants like tamarisk and reeds, as well as plants such as tangs, qyč (a kind of shrub), thyme, borage, narcissus, kīkam, cumin and barijeh. Tectonic activity in the Zagros has produced several islands and peninsulas — e.g., Narges and Gonban islands in Tashk and Manak Island in Bakhtegan.
A trip to these pristine lakes is wonderful, but remember these places are ecosystems for many animals, birds and aquatic species — we all have a responsibility to protect them.
